The quantity of intellectual property (IP) created by China increased in 2018 and their quality also improved, according to the National Intellectual Property Administration.

The number of invention patents owned by individuals and organizations on the Chinese mainland reached 1.6 million by the end of 2018, an increase of 18.1 percent over the previous year, said Shen Changyu, director of the administration, at a press conference held Sunday by the State Council Information Office.

As of end of 2018, valid trademarks registered by Chinese mainland entities reached 18.05 million, up 32.8 percent year on year.

Throughout 2018, the administration registered copyrights for 2.35 million pieces of works and 1.1 million pieces of computer software, up 17 percent and 48 percent, respectively, Shen said.